Clinton: The Musical

Clinton: The Musical is a satiric musical with music and lyrics by Paul Hodge, and a book by Paul Hodge and Michael Hodge and based on the Presidency of Bill Clinton. After success in various festivals, the show will play Off-Broadway in spring 2015.

Background

The musical is based on the premise that there are two sides to Bill Clinton: the mature and charismatic side ("WJ") and the fun and reckless side ("Billy"). Imagining the two personalities as distinct characters, the musical follows the two Bill Clintons and Hillary Clinton through the major events of Bill Clinton's presidency.

Productions

Pre Off-Broadway

Clinton: The Musical premiered at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in a one-act version, where it was nominated for Best New Musical.^[1] The two-act version premiered at the King's Head Theatre in London, where it played April 27, May 4, and May 11, 2013.^[2]

The show was then performed at the 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival, where it sold out performances and received several extensions. Duke LaFoon and Karl Kenzler played the two sides of Bill Clinton, while Alet Taylor played Hillary Clinton. It was directed by Adam Arian and choreographed by Emily McNamara.^[1] David Woolard was the costume designer, David Gallo the scenic designer, Greg Mitchell the lighting designer, Shannon Slaton the sound designer, and James Dobinson the music director. Joe Twist did the orchestrations.

There was an industry reading of the show in New York on November 6 and 7, 2014. Duke LaFoon, Kara Guy, and Kevin Zak reprised their roles from NYMF. Kerry Butler played Hillary Clinton, while Alan Campbell and Duke LaFoon played the two sides of Bill Clinton.^[3] It was directed and choreographed by Dan Knechtges.

Off-Broadway

In 2015, it was announced that Clinton: The Musical would be brought to Off-Broadway at New World Stages, previews beginning March 25, with an opening set for April 9. Duke LaFoon will reprise his role as Billy, with Tom Galantich as WJ and Kerry Butler as Hillary Clinton.^[4] Dan Knechtges returns as director and choreographer. There is a new creative team in place, except for David Woolard returning as costume designer and James Dobinson returning as music director. Beowulf Borritt will do the scenic design, Paul Miller the lighting design, and Peter Fitzgerald the sound design. Neil Douglas Reilly will make new orchestrations with keyboard programming and electronic music design by Brian Li ^[5] and Qingyang Xi.

Other Productions

In 2016, Clinton: The Musical had its Australian premiere in Perth at the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia by the Black Swan State Theatre Company. Directed by Adam Mitchell,^[6] the production opened on August 27.

Principal roles and major casts

^[1]

Musical Numbers

• Overture
• Awful-Awesome
• The Me I See
• The Day After That
• A Starr is Born
• Lie to You
• Say Nay
• Monica's Song
• Both Ways
• Both Ways (reprise)
• What Could Go Wrong?
• That Woman, Miss Lewinsky
• State of the Union
• A Place Called Hope
• Monica's Song (reprise)
• Enough
• Sexual Relations
• Brew It For Your Country
• The Me I See (reprise)/ What Could Go Wrong? (reprise)
• Finale

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Official Site
• Official Twitter